Window structure



13, 1944- o. H. MERZ 2,339,420

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 28, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l 24 I v AT TORNEY6.

Jan. 18, 1944. 0.1-1. ME RZ WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 28, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -1NVENTOR. was! BY Ma? ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 18, 1944 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE WINDOW STRUCTURE Otto H. Merz, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Application February 28, 1942,. Serial No. 432,771

2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of building, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of window structure of the sliding sash type.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved window assemblage which is simple and durable in construction, and which is also highly efficient in use.

It has heretofore been common practice in the building industry, to utilize multiple sash windows provided with weather strips, and in which the sash sections are separated by horizontal check rails and are vertically slidable relative to each other. The weather strips for sealing these prior windows against infiltration of cold airand escape of heated air from the interior, as well as for preventing rattling, were ordinarily formed of long strips of special resilient metal which has become extremely difficult to obtain. Due to the fact that the sash sections of these prior Windows were vertically slidable or adjustable, it also required the provision of either weights, pulleys and cords, or spring sash balances, bothv embodying metal parts and involving considerable complication, in order to automatically retain the sash in various positions of adjustment. The provision of these metal parts and mechanisms in prior window assemblages of the sliding sash type, made it rather difficult to construct and to assemble the structures, and considerably increased the cost of manufacture, installation. and maintenance thereof.

It is therefore a more specific object of'my present invention to provide an improved sliding sash window assembly wherein the sash sections may be readily adjusted and retained in adjusted position without the aid of weights or spring sash balances, and which is tightly sealed without utilizing metallic or other costly weather stripping.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful window structure having two or more relatively'slidable sash members separated by one or more upright check rails, and wherein the sash guides and check rail are utilized to tightly seal the window when closed. I

A further specific object of this invention is to provide an improved window of the sliding sash type wherein the sash sections are relatively horizontally slidable to provide ventilating and access openings of maximum height, and which can be manufactured, installed and maintained at minimum cost.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved window assemblage most of the parts of which may be constructed of nonmetallic materials, which is strong and durable in structure, and which is moreover extremely effective in operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description,

A clear conception of the various features constituting the present improvement, and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing window structures embodying the invention, may be had by referring to. the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is an outside elevation of a typical two sash window embodying the invention, the window being closed and portions having been broken away to reveal normally concealed structure;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical section through the lower part of the window of Fig.1;

Fig 3 is a similarly enlarged transverse vertical section through the upper part of the same window; f

Fig. 4 is a likewise enlarged horizontal transverse section through one side of the two sash window;

Fig. 5 is a similar section through the opposite side of the same window assemblage;

Fig. 6 is a transverse similarly enlarged horizontal section through the upright check rail between the two sash; I

Fig.7 is an outside elevation through a modified three sash window assembly also embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary somewhat enlarged section through the window of Fig. 7, taken along the line 8-8.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as having been embodied in two and three section sliding sash windows glazed in a particular manner, it is not my desire or intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the scope or utility of the improvement.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the typical two sash window structure shown therein, comprises in general, a fixed frame having an inclined lower sill l8, opposite side jambs H a head jamb l2, blind stops l3, and an outside casing 14; and a pair of relatively horizontally adjustableinner and outer sash sections [5, l6 respectively which are slidably supported on lower and upper horizontal guide bars l1, I8, and each having a bottom rail I9, a top rail 20, an upright check rail 2 I, and a side rail 22, the latter being cooperable with upright sealing strips 23 secured to the side jambs The lower sill II] may be fixedly supported upon the usual bottom lug 24 as shown in Fig. 1, and may also be provided with a cut-out 25 which cooperates with the outside casing I4 to receive the usual screen, blinds, or storm-sash, not shown. The sill I may also be provided with angular recesses 26 for properly positioning the lower guide bars I1 and the sill parting stop 21,.

and for retaining these bars and the stop 21 in parallel position, and the parting stop 21 is secured to the sill midway between the bars IT. The bars I! and the stop 2'! extend fromone side jamb II to the other, and may be provided with weep holes 28 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which eifectively cooperate with the recesses 26 to permit free escape of moisture. A stool 29 of usual construction may also be secured to the upper inner edge of the sill ID as shown in Fig. 2, and the bottom rails I9 of the sash sections I5, I6 are provided with lower grooves 30 which slidably engage the lower guide bars The opposite side jambs II of the window frame, are rabbetted or grooved to receive side parting, stops 3| which extend upwardly from the opposite ends of the lower stop 21 to the top of the opening, and the upright sealing strips 23 coact with grooves 32 formed in the jambs II on oppositesides of the parting stops 2?, 3| as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Each of the sealing strips 23 is preferably provided with an outer chamfer or inclined surface 33 which is cooperable with a; vertical groove 34 formed in the side rail 22 of the corresponding sash section I5, l6 as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5; so that when the inner sash ,I5 .is closed, its outer surfaces will be forced .bythe chamfer into snug engagement with the parting stops, and when the outer sash I6 is moved toward closed position, its outer surfaces lwilllikewise be forced by the surface 33 of its sealing strip 23 into snug coaction with the blind stopsv I3.

The head jamb |2 of the two sash frame, is also rabbetted for the reception of an upper parting stop 35 as shown in Fig. 3, and the upper parallel guide bars I8 which coact with grooves 36 formed in the top rails 20 of the sash sections I5, I6, may also be confined in grooves 31 formed in the head jamb l2. The upper guide bars I8 and parting stop 35 also extend throughout the entire width of the window opening. The main frame of the window may also be provided with an outer dripcap 38, and with inner adjustable casing stops 39, and the head jamb I2 may be caused to coact with an upper lug 40 in the usual manner.

The inner and outer horizontally slidable sash orsash sections I5, I6 may be provided with glazing or glass 4| of any desired type, and the check rails 2| of the sash are adapted to'snugly coact along inclined surfaces as shown in Fig. 6.

The check rails 2| are provided with the usual cam lock or latch 42 operable from theinside-of the window, to force the check rails into sealing engagement with each other and to simultaneously-force the sections I5, I5 against the side jambs I and into sealing engagement with the stops 3|, 3, respectively. .The bottom and top rails I9, 20 of the two sash sections l5, l6 are preferably formed to extend throughout the en tire width of each sash, so as to prevent relative sliding of elements along grains extending transversely of each other, and it is to be noted that with the exception of the latch 42, glazing 4| and nails which may be used in assembling parts, the entire window structure may be formed of wood. The guide bars I8 and sealing strips 23 are preferably formed of hard wood or other fibrous material or composition; and in order to enhance the sliding action, these bars may be lubricated by saturation with oil or paraflin or otherwise.

The improved modified window structure of Figs. 7 and 8 is similar in construction to that shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, except that the blind stops I3 and the parting stops 21, 3| 35 have been omitted, and the assemblage is provided with three sash sections instead of only two. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the window specifically shown therein comprises a main frame having a lower sill 9, opposite side jambs I, a head jamb I2, and outer and inner casings M, M; and three relatively horizontally adjustable inner and outer sash sections I5, I6 respectively which are slidably supported on lower'and upper horizontal guide bars I8, and each having a bottom rail I9, and a top rail 20. The outer medial sash section I6 is provided with upright check rails 2| at its opposite sides which are cooperable with vertical check rails 2| of the two inner sash sections I 5, and each of these inner sections I5 has a side rail 22 which is cooperable with an upright sealing strip 23 secured to the adjacent side jamb II of the frame. Each of the side jambs II is also provided with an upright recess 43 disposed in alinement with the inner guide bars I1, I8, and the sash sections l5, It should again be provided with locking latches 42 at their cooperating check rails 2| 2|. The glazing 4| of this modified three sash window assemblage, may again assume any desired form, and the structure is likewise formed of wood with the horizontal bottom and top rails 9, 20 of the sash sections I5, l6 extending throughout the entire width of these sections.

Either of the multiple sash horizontally slidable window structures shown may be built with two or more inner and outer sash sections l5, I6; and when three sash are utilized, the mid-section may be placed either on the inside or outside, and this mid-section may also be fixedly mounted if so desired. When in normal use, the sash sections 5, i6 can be slid horizontally relative to each other upon release of the latch or latches 42, to provide elongated vertical ventilating'openings equal to the full height of the window opening'and of any desired width within the space provided. With the two sash window, the sash sections l5, I6 may be superimposed upon each other to provide a ventilating opening apprOXimately equal to the area of one sash adjoining either side'jamb II; and with the three section window assemblage such an opening may also be provided adjacent to either side jamb. By omitting the inclined surfaces of coaction between the check rails 2|, 2| of the three section window, the mid-section I5 may also be shifted from side to side, thus providing an extremely flexible arrangement. When the windows are closed and the locking latches 42 are operated to seal the sash, the outer surfaces of the rails of the sash sections l5 will be driven into sealing engagement with the adjacent stop surfaces of the frame, by the inclined surfaces 33 of the sealing strips 23, and the window will be tightly sealed without the aid of special metallic sealing strips.

During opening and closing of the windows, the sash sections I5, l6 slide along the horizontal uide bars I1, I8 and the formation of the bottom and top rails i9, 20 with the grain thereof extending throughout the width of each sash section I5, 16 and substantially parallel to that of the guide bars l1, l8 insures easy sliding at all times. Whenever the sliding motion of any section i5, i6 is arrested, the sash will remain in the adjusted position without the aid of sash balances of any kind, and the openings 26 in the lower bars I! and in the lower parting stop 21 will insure proper drainage of liquid from the lower sill II at all times.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent that my present invention provides an improved window structure which is extremely simple, compact and durable in construction, and which is moreover highly efiicient and flexible in its adaptations. The improved window assemblages are devoid of unnecessary metallic parts, and require no special or metallic weather sealing strips or sash counter-balances of any kind. The guide bars l1, l8 and the side sealing strips 23 perform the function of Weather strips, and by virtue of the upright disposition of the check rails 2|, 2|, the sashsections l5, IE will be retained in various positions of adjustment by gravity. The vertical elongation of the horizontally slidable sash sectionslS, I also provides for better ventilation by producing vertically elongated openings, and the sections l5, 16 are easily operable since they do not require physical lifting. The improved windows can be manufactured in various sizes and shapes at moderate cost, from readily available stock materials, and are devoid of outwardly or inwardly-projecting parts when the sash sections are open and when closed.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the present invention to the exact details of construction and operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A sliding sash window, comprising, a main rectangular window frame having parallel intermediate and inner stops, a set of elongated horizontal upper and lower guide strips spanning said frame between the inner and intermediate stops and outwardly of the intermediate stops, upright wedge strips secured to each side jamb of said frame in vertical alinement with the guide strips of each set, each of said wedge strips having a wedge surface facing inwardly of the window opening, and a sash section slidable horizontally along each set of said upper and lower guide strips, said sash sections having cooperating check rails and also having vertical wedge grooves in their side rails remote from said check rails and cooperable with said wedge strips to force the sash rails against said stops when the sash sections are moved to closed position.

2. A sliding sash window, comprising, a main rectangular window frame having parallel intermediate and inner stops, a set of elongated horizontal upper and lower guide strips spanning said frame between the inner and intermediate stops and outwardly of the intermediate stops, upright wedge strips secured to each side jamb of said frame in vertical alinement with the guide strips of each set, each of said wedge strips having a wedge surface facing inwardly of the window opening, a sash section slidable horizontally along each set of said upper and lower guide strips, said sash sections having cooperating check rails and also having vertical wedge grooves in their side rails remote from said check rails and cooperable with said wedge strips to force the sash rails against said stops when the sash sections are moved to closed position, and a latch associated with said cooperating check rails for simultaneously forcing said sash sections against their corresponding wedge strips during closing and sealing of the window.

OTTO H. MERZ. 

